Concrete contractors in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware will begin receiving ready mixed orders in front discharge trucks operating at unusually low noise levels and with no hint of diesel combustion, thanks to adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) power in the fleets of Delaware Valley Concrete (DVC) and Silvi Group.

In early January, DVC rolled out its inaugural CNG front discharge mixer—a four-axle, Oshkosh S-Series equipped with McNeilus Next Generation Initiatives (Ngen) compressed natural gas fueling system—becoming the first such-equipped operator in Pennsylvania. “Introducing CNG mixers is an investment in the future and demonstrates our commitment to remain a leader in the industry and stewards of the environment for years to come,” says DVC President Mario Diliberto. “As a fuel, CNG has plenty to offer. Not only is it cheaper to produce than diesel, it also burns much cleaner. [Our company] is reducing its carbon footprint in the industry and its fueling costs as well.”

The producer has a fleet of 88 mixers, dumps, tankers and other heavy trucks serving its nine concrete plants in southeastern Pennsylvania, and will deploy five more CNG mixers this spring—toward a 2015 target of having a substantial percentage of its fleet running on natural gas.

With three ready mixed plants each in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Fairless Hills, Pa.-based Silvi Group is likewise turning to CNG power for a sizable portion of its mixer fleet, committing to 30 S-Series Ngen models. Oshkosh showed the first one at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, prior to delivering the vehicle to eastern Pennsylvania.

“This is our first purchase of CNG-powered mixer trucks. The price difference between CNG and diesel fuel is significant, and these trucks will provide a strong return on our investment,” says Silvi Group Senior Vice President Tim Kurz. “Anything we can do to reduce our carbon footprint [and] noise pollution, and help the environment—which these trucks will do—we’re in favor of. It is also paramount to have excellent equipment, like the S-Series, to attract and retain outstanding employees.”

“Silvi Companies are leaders and innovators, with a strong commitment to environmental protection, and we applaud this important migration to the McNeilus Ngen system,” adds Oshkosh Commercial Business Segment President Brad Nelson.

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